Decision Virginia is the online home of NBC 12′s political coverage. NBC 12 is the number one news station in Central Virginia

03/13/2013

McDonnell huddles with Congressional delegation

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) met privately with members of Virginia's Congressional Delegation this afternoon, on the same day that President Barack Obamacame to Capitol Hill to meet with House GOP leaders.

McDonnell met with the group for a little bit more than an hour and touched on a number of issues of concern to Virginia. Every member of the delegation was in attendance except for Rep. Scott Rigell (R- Virginia Beach) who was stuck in a budget mark up session.

Among them, the need for Congress to pass an internet sales tax bill, which will require companies that sell goods on the internet to customers in different states to charge sales tax. McDonnell is counting on the revenue as a key leg of his transportation infrastructure funding plan.

The governor also touched on a issue of key importance right now, the future of Medicaid. McDonnell encouraged lawmakers to pass broad federal reform. McDonnell is resistant to the idea of expanding Medicaid at the state level. This despite a plan in the updated budget to form a legislative commission in Virginia to explore the issue. It is of particular need because once the Affordable Care Act goes into effect there could be a whole group of people who don't qualify for benefits and at the same time won't be covered by private insurance.

McDonnell also touched on the sequester, offshore energy development and federal education policy.

He also pushed for passage of the new GOP legislation being championed by Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Henrico) called the Skills ACT which aims to streamline existing Federal workforce development programs.